This week is a big one for Star Wars fans. We've already had a beautiful new poster for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and we now know that there will be a new trailer for JJ Abrams' movie airing during tonight's ESPN broadcast of Monday Night Football. But these will all only serve to increase anticipation for what is sure to be the movie event of the decade, whereas for many fans, things won't start to feel real until they can get their hands on a ticket to the big opening day. Luckily, pre-sale tickets for US screenings go on sale tonight, with theater websites around the world crashing under the sheer volume of sales.

However, before you book you might want to know that participating theaters will be offering fans the chance to express their love for Star Wars in the ultimate way....a Star Wars movie marathon of all 6 movies leading to a 3D screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

While the Marvel movie marathon might have been a true test of endurance, and the Back to the Future Marathon is achievable for the average movie buff, the Star Wars marathon is kind of a right of passage for fans of the franchise. There are few Star Wars fans out there who haven't at least attempted to marathon one of the trilogies (we'll go out on a limb and say the original trilogy is the most-attempted), but the opportunity to see all six movies in the build-up to a screening of Episode VII is almost too good to miss.

Here's the official blurb for the movie marathon:

The Star Wars Marathon Event is the ultimate fan experience. All seven movies. One epic journey. Guests will see each of the six previously released Star Wars episodes in digital 2D beginning with The Phantom Menace and concluding with the opening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 3D!" Guests will also receive a lanyard featuring exclusive marathon art. Coming December 17.

It's not clear exactly how long the marathon will be in total, but taking in the first 6 movies alone would amount to 797 minutes or just over 13 hours, but add around 140 minutes for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and you've got yourself over 937 minutes or 15.6 hours of Star Wars viewing ahead of you.

Got what it takes? Check out the list of participating theaters at the below. May the force be with you....you're going to need it!